The Assam cabinet on Thursday approved a Bill to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules of 1935, which permitted underage marriages under specific conditions, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Repealing Bill 2024 is likely to be presented during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.

Earlier this year, the cabinet approved the abolition of the Act, and Thursday’s meeting authorised the Repealing Bill required to implement this decision.

“We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage,” he posted on X, soon after chairing the meeting of the council of ministers here.

“In the meeting of the #AssamCabinet today we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024,” he added.

Sarma said the decision to repeal it is aimed at bringing “parity in registration of marriage and divorce”.

The Repealing Bill will be placed before the Assembly in the next Monsoon session for consideration, he said.

“The state cabinet has also been directed that a suitable legislation be brought for registration of Muslim marriages in Assam, to be considered by the next session of Assembly,” the chief minister added.